An airport spokesman had earlier told reporters that the bird strike forced the plane, a Boeing 767 with 263 passengers on board, to make an emergency landing soon after take-off at 7:30 am (0200 GMT).

"The bird was tucked inside the engine, which was damaged," the spokesman said, adding that no-one was injured and alternative arrangements were made to fly the passengers on to Sri Lanka.

Water said the plane had not left the ground.

The charter flight was headed from Amsterdam to Colombo and had stopped off in Goa en route.